Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ailee
You’re one of us now. Welcome to the family.
I almost burst into tears at Josh’s words. I have to bite my lip to contain the sob. Until now, I didn’t realize I’d never felt like I had a family. I’ve never had people become upset on my behalf, or give up their own wants to cater to me.
As dinner progresses, all my anxiety and apprehension vanish. Josh’s family isn’t judging me or trying to put me down. They genuinely want me to belong—and to feel like I belong.
I’m also thinking of the beautiful character Akiko wrote for me: love. It’s one thing I never felt I deserved, whether from my family or anybody else. I don’t know how to put the emotions swelling in my heart into words.
So I do what I can—enjoy myself without wondering if anything has seafood in it.
Or how big the bill would be if I had to hit the hospital for my allergy because an EpiPen wouldn’t be enough.
Or how inconvenienced and annoyed everyone would be if I had a reaction.
Everything Akiko serves is perfect—delicious and gorgeously presented.
And the plum wine is just chef’s kiss. I’ve never had anything this sweet and delightful before.
I don’t understand why Josh ate the tacos earlier.
I steal a quick glance. He seems to like what he’s eating.
“You could open a luxury restaurant,” I blurt to Akiko.
Ares and Bryce exchange a discreet look. Akiko laughs with delight. “You think so?”
“I know so. This is amazing.”
“Thank you. I enjoy cooking, but I also like to experiment. I doubt anybody would be coming to a restaurant that changes its menu and recipes all the time.”
“You could make a fortune catering to the dieting types from Hollywood,” Jeremiah says before sipping another red wine.
Akiko looks doubtful. “My food is fairly rich. I don’t skimp on butter, cream or duck fat.”
Jeremiah snorts, and Prescott gives her a dirty look. Catalina turns her attention to me. “So. When is the wedding?”
Oh…crap. I glance at Josh, but he seems at ease as he bites into a thin slice of beef that’s been folded into a tiny triangle.
It’s stuffed with some tasty green onion and cheese mixture.
I already finished all three of mine. Now I wish I had something to stuff my mouth with so I could avoid answering.
Thankfully Akiko intervenes, leaning forward eagerly. “Yes! I can finally plan this ceremony!” Then she presses her lips together for a moment. “Ah…if that would be okay…?”
“Uh… I guess.” What else can I say when she’s looking at me so hopefully? No? And the engagement is going to end in six months, so…
I should tell Akiko not to plan anything until we know the date for sure, to avoid wasting her time. That way I’ll feel less guilty.
“And we’ll actually be invited to this one,” Jeremiah adds dryly.
“Precisely.” Catalina levels a meaningful look at Ares and Bryce.
I stare at the sad smears of brown sauce on my plate. Josh is still chewing the stuffed beef.
“Do you have any ideas about what you’d like for the wedding?” Catalina asks.
“A white dress?” I venture, staying on the safe side.
“Or black. I saw Grace Huxley’s wedding photos, and she looked super chic in black,” Lareina says.
My jaw slackens. “A black wedding dress? Like at a funeral?”
“It’s fashionable in certain high society in Asia,” Josh explains. “If you want black, you can wear black.”
“Really?” I thought he would want something more traditional.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event,” he says. “There shouldn’t be any regrets. I want you to be happy.”
My mouth dries. He seems like he means it—like he can see us together for a long, long time. Longing unfurls in my heart. I wish it could be like that.
“White is the default, but I saw a pale champagne wedding gown that was stunning. Lots of sparkly beads and details,” Lareina says. “I think you’d be gorgeous in any color, to be honest. You just have to pick one that speaks to your heart.”
“And you can decide on the scale of the wedding, too. Big or small. And the reception menu.” Akiko’s eyes sparkle. “I’d love to see what you select because no matter what, it’ll be fabulous.”
I look at her in surprise. Most of the time, my preferences aren’t that important.
Well, at least not with my family. But here, what I want seems like the most important.
“Maybe something small,” I finally manage, since Akiko’s waiting for an answer with such eager anticipation. “Probably more economical that way.”
Jeremiah gives Josh a stern look. “Surely you can afford a ceremony as grand as she wants it.”
I shake my head. “Oh no. I mean—”
“Nobody pinches pennies for their wedding. Assuming, of course, that one actually holds a real ceremony rather than eloping.” Jeremiah smiles thinly at Ares and Bryce.
Ares got married in Vegas and Bryce had a courthouse ceremony.
I heard no Huxley was present at either.
“Anyway, I think you should splurge. The family will take care of it.”
“Uh, I thought that was the bride’s family’s responsibility…?” Even as I say that, I cringe a little inwardly. If Akiko calls my mom to talk about the wedding, she’ll say that any money spent on me is money wasted.
So embarrassing. I’d rather die first.
“We won’t be relying on your parents.” Underneath Josh’s smooth tone is a mild disapproval. He seems to hold my parents in low esteem.
“Don’t let antiquated ideas limit your options, Ailee,” Catalina says. “The family will be honored to bring you into the fold properly.”
The skin around my eyes grows hot. I blink away any moisture to ensure I don’t cry or act too flustered. My needs. My preferences. They’re actually being valued and respected. I realize I’ve spent much too much energy on suppressing my own desires.
Thankfully, the arrival of dessert stops the flow of the conversation and gives me a little breathing room to gather my shaky emotions.
I pour myself more plum wine. This is my second bottle, but they’re so tiny, just like the amazing food Akiko has served so far.
I’m still hungry, but it’s probably because I haven’t eaten much today.
The dessert is a miniature—a soft matcha mochi ball stuffed with vanilla ice cream. I bite into it and press my lips together. The ice cream is so buttery and sweet, balancing out the intense matcha flavor.
“This is amazing. I think it’s better than the one you made last Christmas,” Prescott says. He devours his in two bites.
Akiko brightens. “You think so? I used a heavier cream and a small bit of raw apple honey from Aomori.”
He nods, smacking his lips and gazing at his bowl sorrowfully.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a dinner this delicious. Thank you,” I say.
“Oh, it’s my pleasure—”
My stomach, oblivious to social niceties, chooses that moment to let out a loud growl. I slap my hands over it—like that will help. If I could, I’d crawl under the table and never come out.
Jeremiah covers her mouth, but a giggle escapes anyway. Josh gives me a look that says, I told you to have the tacos. I close my eyes for a moment. He’s right, of course.
Akiko gasps. “Oh my goodness! Are you still hungry?”
“I’m so sorry. I haven’t eaten much today. I was really nervous about meeting everyone, and I—” I quit talking. Don’t ramble.
“You should’ve said something. I always have extra portions in the kitchen if anybody wants more.”
Josh, Ares and Bryce’s heads jerk in Akiko’s direction. Jeremiah’s mouth hangs open. The spoon in Catalina’s hand falls to the table with a clatter. Prescott stares at his wife like she just told him she found herself a younger man with a bigger penis.
“You liked the stuffed beef, right?” Akiko asks, ignoring the reactions.
I nod. It was my favorite, and I’m surprised she noticed.
She smiles. “Give me a second.” She disappears, then soon returns with a plate set with four pieces this time.
“You never told us there was more,” Josh manages, his voice hoarse.
Akiko purses her lips and shrugs. “Nobody ever asked.”
“So if I’d wanted more, I just needed to…?” Hopefully Prescott isn’t having a stroke. He doesn’t look very good.
“Well, of course! I always make sure everyone has plenty to drink, don’t I?”
Bryce covers his face with a hand. “Oh God.”
“What?” Akiko says.
“I can’t wait to tell Fiona our child will have enough food to fill its belly when we visit,” he mutters, which only seems to confuse Akiko more.
“I think we’re all having regrets about being too circumspect to spare your feelings.” Jeremiah knocks back her red wine like it’s whiskey. She probably wishes it was whiskey.
“Thanks to Ailee joining the family, we all learned something valuable today,” Catalina announces. “If you want something, you should just ask.”
Akiko nods, a smile blooming on her bright face. “Very true. The answer will more often than not be a yes.”